No place like home so Jason calls time

TEST centurion Jason Leonard last night admitted the prospect of spending a month away from his family during England’s tour to New Zealand and Australia was reason behind his decision to quit international rugby.

Leonard is to exit the international arena at the end of the 2004 RBS 6 Nations championship after a glittering career which has seen him make 114 appearances for England and become the world's most capped player.

The 35-year-old prop broke Philippe Sella's record of 111 caps after featuring against France as a replacement during last November's World Cup semi-final, a remarkable achievement considering the front row is the most brutal of places to operate. He made his Test debut in 1990 against Argentina, the first step in an epic journey which includes two World Cup finals, three British Lions tours, 54 Six Nations matches and 18 battles against the French.

However, the demands of professional rugby have taken their toll, forcing him to spend long periods away from his partner and three children. "The thought of being in New Zealand and Australia for nearly a month this summer is too much," the Harlequins veteran wrote in the London Evening Standard. "It was highlighted for me by two games in Italy and Scotland at the start of the Six Nations which meant I was only home for one night during the fortnight to see Sandra and the children.

"Any longer than two weeks starts to hurt too much in terms of missing the family. You have to be selfish as an international rugby player and always want to do more. That means you miss out on things at home and that's why I know this is the right time."

Meanwhile, Italy's Sergio Parisse is set to miss the RBS 6 Nations match against Ireland on March 20. Parisse, 20, was carried off during Saturday's triumph over Scotland in Rome with a muscle injury.

He is also doubtful for Italy's game Wales in the Millennium Stadium on March 27.

"The player will probably not be available for the game against Ireland and even the game against Wales," said Italy coach John Kirwan who has named a 26-man squad for the trip to Dublin, which excludes Parisse, based on the assumption he will be unfit.

Kirwan is likely to recall Arix Viadana forward Matthew Phillips to replace Parisse. But Kirwan is hopeful centre Manuel Dallan will recover from a knee injury against Scotland.

"I have included Manuel in the selection, but I will have to wait until tomorrow to get a definite diagnosis."

Meanwhile, scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is expected to be the main absentee today when France coach Bernard Laporte announces his 22-man squad for the national team's final two RBS 6 Nations games against Scotland and England.

France have already beaten Ireland, Italy and Wales in the tournament, and are favourites to win the Six Nations after England's defeat by Ireland.

However, if Les Bleus are to be crowned, they will almost certainly have to cope without Elissalde, an impressive performer since taking over the number nine shirt from retired former captain Fabien Galthie.

The 26-year-old Stade Toulousain player sustained a serious thigh injury during France's 29-22 win over Wales at the weekend.

Elissalde had been the hero of the match with a 24-point haul equalling the record by a Frenchman in the championship but limped out of the action in the dying seconds and has been forced to walk on crutches since.

"I have had strains in my life but I think this one is the worst," said Elissalde.

"I think this is a muscle tear, I have never experienced such a pain."

Serge Betsen suffered an ankle injury at the weekend, but he should be fit to travel to Edinburgh on March 21.